Giving notice

By Naguib Mahfouz

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Recent events in Lebanon offer a glimpse of what the future might hold for other Arab countries. They show, once and for all, that the Arab people are not apathetic and that they will no longer tolerate conditions that have for too long prevailed in the Arab world. Populations are no longer willing to have their hopes and aspirations discounted. They will no longer bow, mutely, to dictates that come from above. Such patterns of behaviour are finally being consigned to the past.

The Lebanese have announced that Arab people are on the move, and that the powers that be had better pay attention. They can no longer afford to act as if the people do not exist. The message that is coming out of Lebanon is simple: Arab populations are no longer willing to be marginalised from the decision-making process. They want to participate, and they will take to the streets in mass demonstrations in order to make their voices heard.

I had long thought that this type of thing only happened in other countries. I had almost come to believe the image of Arab peoples as endlessly docile and submissive. The people of Lebanon put paid to this stereotype and in so doing delivered a powerful message to Arab governments. Proper democratic processes must be instituted, and soon.

Based on an interview by Mohamed Salmawy.